phins_jazy
Christmas at the Fort
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2000
this sealed the deal for me. we have got to go to Hollywood and Vine when we go for Halloween. The characters have such awesome costumes!
I love this picture
Oh my goodness Minnie is so cute in her Halloween outfit!We finally went up to meet Minnie when she had no line.
Ah so is Donald!!!and of course look which naughty character took my ears and put them on Steve
I love that Steve is wearing his BB8 shirt!We decided to head to Launch Bay to get a picture with our favorite droid and wookie
Hahaha of course she did I appreciate her dedication to Disney fashion.After Chunkysis did a quick outfit change,
I'm so sorry for your loss.
I'm glad you were able to make a trip work in February!
I'm sure the holidays were very different for you this year without your Dad--still thinking of you and your family!
How exciting that you will be able to spend your birthday at Disney World this year!
I just wanted to pop in quickly and say I'm sorry for the loss of your dad - I lost both of my parents almost 8 years ago at the age of 64 (54 days apart) and it's the hardest things..
BUT, I'm a HUGE fan of your TRs and quite envious of your recent DVC purchase!!!
Love, love, love the pics with Mickey and the gang in their Halloween costumes!!!! I had NOOOOOOOO idea H&V did this!!!! I totally would have booked it for Gia...Maybe I can reserve it in September...
Great score on TSM! The characters are so cute in their Halloween costumes!
We did this in 2016 and really enjoyed it!
Su-Lynn!! What a fun update!! Soooooooooo many characters!
Just mostly popping in to say howdy and Happy New Year.
Sounds like Hollywood and vine was a good meal. I love the holiday costumes.
This is a GORGEOUS picture of you, Su-Lynn!
Awww, love Minnie will all her Halloween splendor
Oooh, I can't wait to find out what!
It will take time. Give it to yourselves.
No kidding! I could never!
When I first looked at this photo, I thought "What is so important about those two people that they had to put a big circle around them?"
Oh, it gets worse...
Then I thought "Hey! That circle looks like a Mickey ear on her head!... wait... it is a Mickey head on her head."
Hmmm... I've never been or seen photos of H&V. Years ago, when I was researching, it had a very poor reputation. I'm a little surprised at the décor. I imagined it as more... glamourous. More... Hollywood.
Some of you are coordinating nicely with Minnie (cough, cough, not Steve)
Don't know what they are, but they sure look cute!
Good to know! Maybe that's how I'll do my first visit there (if/when).
And failing adorably.
She must bring a bag? I never see it (or haven't noticed.) Or does she store it in a locker?
Wait.... (goes back and re-looks)… here?
I keep hearing of people missing their ride photo for SDD. Hopefully they'll get that sorted out soon.
Cute shot of you guys. You look pretty excited.
Good! Can't wait to see what it is!
I've been to Hollywood & Vine twice and really enjoyed it both times. Some of the best character interactions we've had have happened there.
I love how your sister goes to the parks with a new dress to change into to match the characters she will be meeting! That's what I call dedication!
Congrats on your score in TSMM!
Awesome photos as usual!
Wow, I'm shocked to hear that Hollywood and Vine was good - especially coming from a foodie like you. We did it once years ago for breakfast and had a pretty bad experience so we haven't been brave enough to go back yet. Of course I also have the only child on the planet that doesn't love meeting character as much as ChunkySis.
I think Hollywood and vine is a great meal! I’m glad you enjoyed like Chunkysis I’m very into characters so It’s mostly about the characters but the food’s not half bad. I always seam to go for the same theme too... one of these times I’ll hopefully see something different!
You really don't know me. I can usually put a way 2 buffets a day, no problem. Just not that day.
Remind me when I meet you that I have to get a picture of you inside the circle of the ears...
Haha, you must have been imagining the Brown Derby...it's decidedly more cafeteria and not so glamorous. I've heard about it's poor reputation so I was pleasantly surprised when we first went for Star Wars weekends 4 years ago and then again last year. The food is solid, not amazing but not bad. I think Chef Mickeys has the worst food.
Yeah what's up with the SW attire?
Ghost meringues?
Haha yes she does bring a bag, we actually all do but we take them off for pictures.
But you're right they are now renting locker space in Star Tours. It costs 200 galactic credits an hour. Which in Canadian is quite cheap.
I have honestly never liked my ride photo on SDD so I'm ok that it is lost.
Love this bit about Mulan. She is hilarious. When we saw her, she left my 11 yr old speechless and he usually never quites down. He was showing her his pins and she said, "Did you get those for saving your country too?" He was speechless. It was hilarious.Day 2 Part 1: Asian Hi-jinks
It was our 2nd day of vacation! That's like the best day of a trip because you're over the first day excitement and fatigue, you're reared up and ready to go and you still have the rest of the trip to look forward to, hehe. We got up relatively early and were able to walk out of the Beach Club and into Epcot in about 15 minutes. We walked indoors through the meandering hallways and out the exit that was the closest to Epcot. It was awesome to be so close!
Our first stop was Soarin' - my favorite way to rope drop! Test Track and FEA are so slow-loading that the lines get backed up quickly and I am quite impatient first thing in the morning. Soarin' waits in the morning are so minimal that you can be on and off really quickly!
HeLLOOO Patrick!
I believe we got top row in the B section without even asking. On this trip we were of two extremes everytime we rode Soarin' - we were either in the optimal top middle, or else we were in the worst seats at the bottom side. There was no in-between!
Then we went over to Joy and Sadness because my sister HAD to get a picture with them and this was probably the only time the waits would be short enough, and yes there were only about 3 parties ahead of us in line.
Here's CS's outfit of the day complete with matching hair clip:
And here's me and Steve:
Obviously Steve and I were prepared to meet a certain Crazy Dis Asian...actually the ORIGINAL Crazy Dis Asian, LOL.
Here we are sauntering in to meet Joy and Sadness all gangsta-like.
Joy loved CS's dress:
And then they saw our shirts and proceeded to do some Karate Kid style hijinks. It was so cute.
Always a fun duo to meet.
Next up our FP for Spaceship Earth!
It was getting crazy packed in Epcot because of opening weekend of F & W. The line for SE was pretty insane and it was only about 10am.
Steve and what I have now come to know as Space Jesus (Thanks to @pepperandchips!)
OK so, our ride through SE was very different. I couldn't place it at first, but then I realized, the lights were on! It wasn't exceptionally bright or anything, unlike Space Mountain with the lights on, but everything was just illuminated better. We wondered what had happened.
We were also stuck in certain areas of the ride as it wasn't moving, nothing new as it's happened before but it happened like 3 times for long pauses. The TV screens still worked but apparently only my picture registered and not Steves.
When we finally got out of the ride, there were a bunch of official looking people directing us out the exit. We weren't really allow to stay and check out the games and exhibits at the base. It was intruiguing, but I thought that maybe the ride was going down after we were let out, but I didn't realize it was actually something bigger than that:
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/orange/os-spaceship-earth-closed-water-leak-20180902-story.html
After I posted my instagram story about how we rode SE with the lights on, my friend Betsy texted me that article. Crazy! We did not notice the leaks at all but we were actually the last group of people to ride before they closed it for a day. Whew, at least we made it on!
We decided to make the stop at Festival Center so that Steve and I could pick up our AP magnets. I love love love the Chef Mickey theme! I also remembered that it was our 2nd visit to Epcot and on our 4th visit we could get the coveted Mickey cutting board!
While at festival center, I also looked at the wine tasting offerings and realized they had the Skywalker wine that I had wanted to try so badly. So I bought a glass. I can't remember the price but it wasn't super cheap for the amount. It was a good wine and I enjoyed it but not enough to buy the whole bottle which was close to 100 dollars.
My sister took this picture of the both of us before exiting Festival Center:
And to our next FP: Test Track!
We made this crazy little truck, unfortunately not as much power as I would have liked.
Sad reality about TT now is that it always is either down, or the system isn't functioning properly so our car we designed didn't register on all the results screens. What is the point of designing your own car then? Might as well do single rider and be done with it. This time, our ride picture didn't come out so we have someone else's random car picture on our account, LOL.
As a consolation prize, we did use the photobooths in the dump shop. All this is included with Memory Maker, just don't print them out as they will charge you, but if you just scan your band it'll be saved.
Right now the festival booths were open so we headed that way to grab some food. My sister and I both got the Seared Shrimp and Scallop Cakes from Thailand. They are served with a cold noodle salad. My sister really loved this a lot and so did I as it was something I enjoyed last year too, plus it wasn't too heavy unlike all the other Food and Wine booths.
Steve went to Mexico to get his favorite nachos and a margarita. Since we had Ohana tonight, this was all Steve was going to eat that afternoon since he's all about Ohana's shrimp and doesn't want to fill up the rest of the day, haha.
OK so I think they changed the nachos a bit because the cheese sauce is white and not the regular orange-y nacho cheese. Also I think the chips are different. They still tasted great, but somehow I liked their previous version better. Someone please tell me this change isn't for good?
The margarita: It was just a regular one and not the one from La Choza or Le Cava as the lines were getting too long there!
Chunkysis obviously went to go wait for Mexican Donald...but she waited a good 20 mins before he came out.
When we passed Norway I had to show Steve the Stave Church which has a display on Norse Gods. Steve's a huge fan of Thor so we had to check it out.
This is me playing Gamora in Avenger's Infinity War:
"It's like his muscles are made of Cotani metal fibers..."
We were approaching 12:30pm and Mulan comes out at 1pm so we walked towards China. I went to the China booth to try something:
Xi’an Pancake with Beef
The pancake is pretty much a scallion pancake and the filling is a spicy sauteed beef. I liked the pancake a lot, and thought the beef was decent but not great. it was flavorfull but I would prefer less sauce as then it'll be easier to pick up and eat. This was so hard to eat especially when standing as you can't really cut the pancake and if you could just roll it up and eat it would have been so much better.
I also got a Jasmine Draft Beer which is one of the recommend pairings with the pancake. I thought this beer was great! So light and refreshing and paired very well with the pancake.
By now we were waiting inside the China temple. There wasn't any line but we asked a CM where Mulan would be meeting. She said she didn't quite know just yet whether it be indoors or outdoors. There was no line in either places and since it was so hot I opted to wait inside until further notice. Then the skies opened up and it started to pour!! So thank goodness we were inside! I pretty much knew then that Mulan was going to meet inside, so we stood in line near the spot she usually meets and people just started lining up behind us. Pretty soon there was a substantial line behind us because her meet got delayed.
The roof of the temple is just gorgeous. The things you notice while waiting!
Here's a little vlog I recorded while waiting on line because...bored. LOL.
Finally about 20 minutes after her scheduled time, Mulan finally appeared.
Behold the original Crazy DIS Asian!
Last time we met Mulan I asked her for matchmaker's help in finding my sis a boyfriend. Looks like it's sorta worked out as my sister is seeing someone at the moment. Not sure if it's that serious yet but we were joking throughout the trip that we should pay a visit to the wedding chapel at the GF just to "check things out" LOL. Hopefully there will be wedding bells soon because I want to go to a Disney wedding!
Anyways...thanks Mulan!
Coming up...the worst thing I ate during Food & Wine...
Your post has made me want to try H&V at Halloween sometime. You guys should do Hollywood & Vine for Christmas next. The characters' outfits are beautiful. You meet Santa Goofy for the photopass pic, and the other characters rotate among the tables. We went this past Dec. The food was surprisingly good, and our server - Jayne - was wonderful. The only con about the experience was a rather long wait for a table, but once we got the table, no complaints. I did not see the Kraken pasta but hope to try it sometime. Sounds delish! Love all of the photos you posted, especially the one with BB8 looking at Steve's shirt!
this sealed the deal for me. we have got to go to Hollywood and Vine when we go for Halloween. The characters have such awesome costumes!
Rob really loves H & V for some reason, but I didn't really become a fan of it until they started doing the seasonal dines! We've done the Christmas one twice, and it really is a nice way to get some cute pics with characters without having to wait in lines to meet them. Plus, I like their costumes
Hope you are doing well <3
I love Hollywood & Vine, the costumes are always so cute and the food is decent. You got some adorable character pics!
Looks like a great time at Launch Bay!
Love your sister's Toy Story dress!
Hi There Su-Lynn,
Just wanted to say so sorry to hear about the passing of your Dad. I really enjoy your trip reports, but not sure I have ever responded (just a lot of "liking"). Just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate you taking the time to post your Disney adventures and sharing them with all of us DIS fans. Your family just seems so close and wonderful
So happy you have another WDW visit to look forward to! We'll be there the same time and our dates at POR overlap yours! If I happen to see you I'll make sure to say Happy Birthday!!
-Kelly
Just caught up on this whole trip report! I had no idea the doors to the accessible rooms closed automatically. Glad they were able to switch rooms for you!
I love that y’all were able to do so many rides on Slinky! That’s my 3 year old’s dream! Just head to Hollywood everyday and play in Toy Story Land!
I love the Halloween costumes on the characters at the seasonal dine!
I am so very sorry about your Dad
The halloween H&V looks so fun! I feel like the Christmas time one has to be so fun and festive too! I love that they do change up the restaurant with the seasons to offer more variety!
I love this picture
Oh my goodness Minnie is so cute in her Halloween outfit!
Ah so is Donald!!!
I love that Steve is wearing his BB8 shirt!
Hahaha of course she did I appreciate her dedication to Disney fashion.
I had initially also planned a dinner at Cape May Cafe but we quickly decided after arriving in Florida that 2 buffets in one day was too much especially with the heat so we cancelled Cape May in favor of hitting up the Food and Wine booths for a light dinner.
It was still 90 degrees out and I don't necessarily want to eat butternut squash casserole...and all the "fall" flavors when in my mind it was still...summer and all I wanted was watermelon!
I did eat my favorite which is the black ink pasta - it is called something like The Kraken pasta and I've had it before and it was just as garlicky and good as I remembered.
Can I pose like this?
Really! I'm so used to comparing it to the US greenback and getting depressed.
So... good, then!
The H&V meal looks pretty good - especially the desserts! My family has done the Disney Jr breakfast before and found it fine, but I had read some poor reviews on the lunch/dinner meals. Interesting that you enjoyed the meal. I had avoided the Seasonal Dine up to now and we've grown out of Disney Jr so I figured this wouldn't be an option. Maybe I should give it a second chance.
Love this bit about Mulan. She is hilarious. When we saw her, she left my 11 yr old speechless and he usually never quites down. He was showing her his pins and she said, "Did you get those for saving your country too?" He was speechless. It was hilarious.
Thank you so much...it was the one month anniversary of her death yesterday. It is so weird because you keep wanting to call or look forward to something you always did together. Then you remember how different things are now. I am coping and trying my best to live the way she would want me to. How are you doing?They are indeed like second mothers, and it's so hard to know that one day I will lose them too. I hope you are ok. Hugs to you too.
This is a great picture!Finally I returned to the table to reclaim my ears and pose for a picture:
Love the outfit coordination!We decided to head to Launch Bay to get a picture with our favorite droid and wookie. The crowds that day were surprisingly light so there wasn't much of a wait at all even in midday.
How did she keep her Toy Story outfit looking so fresh? It's as though she was carrying a full size garment bag!After Chunkysis did a quick outfit change, it was back in Toy Story Land for our SDD FP!
Now I am curious......Stay tuned for our Epcot evening, we explore the Beach Club DVC area, and I finally get something that I've wanted for years!!
I was hoping you would!
The galactic credit has devalued since they killed off skywalker...
Hi Liesa!! Happy new year! I'm still getting caught up on everyone's TR...I'm sure I'm stuck on like letter F on your TR...